Sharean afternoon with paula deen
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Client: Sycamore Services Inc. hired Bohlsen Group to handle media 
relations and publicity for their Jan. 15, 2011, fundraiser featuring Food Network star Paula Deen at the Murat Theatre at Old National Centre in Indianapolis.
Challenge: The public’s attention is diverted in so many directions during the holidays, and combined with the busy schedule of popular public figure Paula Deen, Bohlsen Group had to work quickly and efficiently to secure coverage and raise awareness for the event.
Solution: At Bohlsen Group, we take pride in finding new and interesting ways to spread the word about each event that we work with. For An Afternoon with Paula Deen presented by Sycamore Services, Inc., we worked closely with the promoter and Paula Deen’s staff to secure promotional and publicity opportunities at all levels.
Results: For traditional publicity, we made use of Paula’s time before her holiday break in December and arranged multiple live and recorded radio, television and print interviews with WFMS 95.5, WIBC 93.1, HANK FM 97.1, WFYI Radio, The Bob & Tom Show, FOX 59 and the Indianapolis Star. Bohlsen Group also distributed targeted pitches and press releases to local and regional media outlets. We capitalized on the local aspect of the event, utilizing autographed cookbooks and calendars provided by Paula to arrange for advance promotions at Borders bookstores and online through Indianapolis Downtown Inc., the Indianapolis Convention and Visitors Bureau, NUVO Newsweekly, Indianapolis Star, Spirit & Place Festival, Indianapolis Business Journal, various food-related bloggers and via Twitter through multiple channels.
We also worked to tie in our client Squealers Barbeque, who provided lunch for Paula and her crew on the day of the event and also provided the food product that she used on stage during her show. Squealers had a booth on-site and took a photo opportunity with Paula, who raved about their ribs! Squealers also appeared on FOX 59 two days before the event in studio during a live call-in interview with Paula.
A successful event, it raised a significant of money for Sycamore Services, Inc. and heightened their profile through media coverage across the region.